Big deal between Athletics and Cubs will have major impact

FILE - In this June 23, 2014, file photo, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Chicago. The Oakland Athletics have an agreement in place to acquire right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel from the Cubs for three top-line prospects in a surprising trade for baseball's top team, two people with knowledge of the deal said Friday night, July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

The Athletics’ blockbuster deal with the Cubs to acquire starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel shakes up the landscape of the AL West and beyond in real baseball, but also has a lot of impact in fantasy circles as well.

First and foremost is that Samardzija’s value soars moving to Oakland, where he should be able to get more wins and take advantage of a far better pitchers’ park. Samardzija is a frontline starter with a 2.83 ERA on the season, but his fantasy value has been stunted by the lack of run support he received with the Cubs that resulted in just a 2-7 record. He has the ability and now the situation to become a top-10 starting pitcher in the second half.

Hammel wasn’t having the same problems getting wins despite the same subpar lineup supporting him. He will try to continue what has been a breakout season – 8-5 with a 2.98 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. The move to Oakland should also be good for his fantasy value.

The players who wind up filling the holes of traded away starters is where some real sleepers can emerge.

The Cubs will be calling up Tsuyoshi Wada to join the rotation on Tuesday. The lefty is two years removed from Tommy John surgery and appears to have recaptured the form that made him one of the top pitchers in Japan before he first came over to MLB with the Orioles. Wada has put up stellar numbers with Triple-A Iowa in the PCL: 9-5, 2.66 ERA, 105 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings. He should be added in all deep leagues.

The Cubs haven’t decided on who will fill the other rotation opening, but fantasy owners are hoping it will be Dan Straily, who was part of the package they got from the A’s. Straily was 10-8 with a 3.96 ERA last year with Oakland before losing his rotation spot this May. He can be added in deep leagues in case he gets the call, but he may be someone to watch instead while the Cubs give one of their own pitching prospects a first crack.

The top prospect headed to Chicago in the deal is shortstop Addison Russell, who should be owned in all keeper leagues. The Cubs also get Oakland ’s first-round pick of last year in outfielder Billy McKinnon, who is at least two years away but is worth watching down the road.

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Expect AL West rivals to try to answer the A’s big move as the Mariners are looking to add a big bat and a veteran pitcher while the Angels continue to look for bullpen help and could use a starting pitcher.

As for the coming week, there are 22 teams playing at least seven games, including the Cubs and Reds, who have eight apiece due to a day-night doubleheader they play Tuesday at Cincinnati. In weekly leagues, players like Starlin Castro and Brandon Phillips take on a bit more value because of their extra volume of games.

The ace of the week is Masahiro Tanaka, who brings his 12-3 record on the road for starts at Cleveland and at Baltimore .

The sleeper of the week is Carlos Martinez, the Cardinals’ young right-hander who has flashed his immense potential in his last start at San Francisco and has a home start against Pittsburgh and a road start at Milwaukee this week.

The breakout player of the week is Kole Calhoun, the Angels outfielder who is heating up and has four games at Texas and three at home against Toronto. The left-handed hitter often sits against lefties, but the Angels face six righties this week.

Stud and dud of the week

Steve Pearce: Where did this come from?! The Orioles cut Pearce back in April before picking him back up and the journeyman corner infielder/outfielder has bounced around like crazy the past few years. Yet there he was, exploding for a 10-for-24 week with three homers, six runs, nine RBIs and two steals. Pearce is suddenly entrenched in the No. 2 spot in the Baltimore lineup and should be added even in shallow leagues as long as this hot streak even remotely keeps up. He is hitting .333 with 10 homers on the season, after all.

Xander Bogaerts: The Red Sox infielder was 0-for-21 from last Saturday through Friday, part of a bad slump that coincided with his move from shortstop to third base when Boston signed Stephen Drew. The slump has gotten so bad that the Red Sox may be forced to consider sending him down at some point, but they will continue to roll with the tremendously talented Bogaerts. This may even be a good time to buy low, as this could turn around at any moment.

For updated in-season position rankings to help gauge trades and waiver-wire pickups, go to www.rotoace.com.